Casting has been announced for a new production of Cats, which will be performed at Toronto's Panasonic Theatre beginning May 28.

Ma-Anne Dionisio

Directed by Dave Campbell, Cats features a 20-member, all-Canadian cast. It marks the first resident Canadian production of Cats in Toronto since the original Canadian production opened in 1985.

The 20-member company includes Ma-Anne Dionisio as Grizabella, Eric Abel as Alozo/Coricopat, Charles Azulay as Old Deuteronomy, Michael Donald as Mungojerrie, Marisa Falcone as Demeter, Kalie Hunter as Tantomile, Neesa Kenemy as Rumpleteazer, Judy Kovacs as Bombalurina, Michel LaFleche as Munkustrap, Lily McEvenue as Victoria, Cory O'Brien as Gus/Bustopher Jones/Growltiger, Phillip Payne as Plato/Macavity, Jaime Reid as Cassandra, Martin Samuel as Rum Tum Tugger, Jay T. Schramek as Skimbleshanks, Ashley St. John as Sillibub, Devon Tullock as Mr. Mistoffelees and original Canadian company member Susan Cuthbert as Jennyanydots/Griddlebone/Jellylorum. Christy Adamson is the dance captain/female swing and Robert Yeretch is the male swing.

Music direction is by original Canadian company member Lona Davis and choreography is by Gino Berti.

Production design is by Tim Webb, lighting design by Brad Trenaman and sound design by Peter McBoyle. Holographic Paramotion will integrate holographic images into the set design.

Cats, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T. S. Eliot, opened in London in 1981 where it ran for 21 years. The Broadway production, which opened in 1982, ran for 18 years, making it the second-longest-running show in Broadway history and the fourth longest-running West End musical.

Produced by Nu Musical Theatricals Inc., in association with Classical Theatre Project and Starvox Entertainment, this is the first resident Canadian production of Cats in Toronto since the original Canadian production opened in 1985.